BJP demands apology as Farooq Abdullah stirs row with remark on PoK

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday condemned former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah’s assertion that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is not a personal property to be inherited and asked him to tender an apology for using an intemperate language related to India’s sovereignty.

“It is extremely condemnable if it is true. It needs to be clarified. How can he make such a statement? Is he not aware of the resolution of Parliament on this? Can he use such kind of intemperate language related to India’s sovereignty?” said BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli.

The National Conference leader stirred controversy earlier on Friday by questioning India’s claim to PoK and said it isn’t the country’s paternal property.

“PoK is presently under Pakistan occupation. It is not the personal property of India so that it could make a claim over it like an inherited property of forefathers,” he was quoted as saying by News 18 website while addressing a function in the Chenab Valley.